So… We’re stuck at home, trying to develop a routine that keeps us going… a perfect balance of self-preservation and helpfulness to others that will keep everyone’s spirits lifted. Or, perhaps this is just the right time to stay in pajamas just a little longer, make some delicious french toast, and take a deep breath?
We suggest that now is the right time to get your practice ready for online therapy and telehealth! While the coronavirus certainly is an impetus, the preparation you will take is not just for the near term. In other words, this isn’t just COVID-19. If you can get online-ready and learn how to support your clients (and your community) in a crisis, your practice will thrive in the long-term. So, how is this done? Here are 6 suggestions:
- Consent forms: Do you have consent forms for online therapy? You do not need to invent the wheel here, but it is important to get consent for online sessions. Consider using a template consent form for getting started. You may need to adapt the form for your clientele and practice areas. The APA also has some helpful suggestions. Be mindful of all copyright considerations. Your account manager at Therapy Everywhere can help you start providing consent forms for online sessions.
- Get informed about insurance coverage for online sessions: Are you on one or more insurance panels? Insurance coverage for behavioral telehealth is changing rapidly. Check with each insurance company that you work with. If you have been delaying checking this out, now is the time to find out. Many companies provide answers on their websites, but you may need to call in to get clarification.
- For your clients who pay you directly (out-of-network): Your clients that pay directly often ask for out-of-network reimbursement from their insurance companies. You can direct clients to the FAQ page of their insurance company and suggest that they look for “behavioral telehealth coverage” or similar wording. If your client has not checked recently, now would be the time to look. Terms and conditions are changing rapidly.
- Setting for online therapy. As a mental health professional, you know that setting is one of the elemental aspects of therapy. This is true for online therapy sessions as much as an in-person session. Prepare a working headset, a quiet room, and take a look at what you look like, what is in your background – this matters to your client! And make sure your client is in control of their setting too. There are many considerations for technology that you may not have thought of. You might want to consult the helpful list posted by the APA for online session.
- Follow all precautions to stay healthy: If you, your family member, or your client get COVID-19, it will be hard to be much of a therapist. Take all precautions that your local authorities specify and follow all health guidelines.
- Self-care: Practice self-care that makes sense for you. It may be getting exercise, finding ways to spend some time outdoors, or just ways to stay calm and wind down. No matter what self-care is right for you, you need it! Practice self-care.
All of the tools and skills that you implement or develop will be an asset for your practice during the coronavirus and beyond. This is not the only time, and not the only circumstance, that clients, or you, will want to or need to connect remotely.
Feel free to reach out to us – we can help you!